OSSSC Nursing Officer Eligibility 2026: Age Limit, Qualification, Odia Requirement & Reservation Rule

OSSSC Nursing Officer Eligibility 2026 requires candidates to be Indian citizens aged between 21 and 42 years with a GNM or B.Sc Nursing qualification and valid Nursing Council registration. Candidates must also satisfy the prescribed Odia language proficiency requirements to be eligible for recruitment.

The Odisha Sub-Ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) has defined specific eligibility criteria for Nursing Officer recruitment, covering age limit, educational qualifications, Nursing Council registration, nationality, language requirements, and category-wise age relaxation. Candidates who fail to meet any of these conditions may be disqualified during document verification, even if they clear the written examination.

If you are planning to apply for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026, this guide explains the latest eligibility criteria, including age relaxation rules, qualification requirements for GNM and B.Sc Nursing candidates, Odia language requirements, reservation benefits, and the documents needed to prove eligibility during the selection process.

Read the Latest OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment Notification [Internal Link: OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026: Notification Out for 5,989 Vacancies, Eligibility, Apply Online & Selection Process]

OSSSC Nursing Officer Eligibility 2026: Overview

Before applying, candidates must satisfy the following basic eligibility conditions:

Criteria	Requirement
Nationality	Indian Citizen
Minimum Age	21 Years
Maximum Age	42 Years
Educational Qualification	+2 and GNM/B.Sc Nursing
Nursing Registration	Valid Nursing Council Registration
Language Requirement	Proficiency in Odia
Job Location	Odisha

Candidates must fulfill all eligibility requirements on the date specified in the official notification.

What is the Age Limit for OSSSC Nursing Officer 2026?

The prescribed age limit for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026 is:

• Minimum Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Age: 42 Years

Candidates must fall within the prescribed age range to be considered eligible for the recruitment process.

OSSSC Nursing Officer Age Relaxation 2026

The Odisha Government provides upper-age relaxation to eligible categories.

Category-Wise Age Relaxation

Category	Age Relaxation
SC/ST/SEBC	5 Years
Women Candidates	5 Years
Persons with Disabilities (PwD)	10 Years
Ex-Servicemen	As per Government Rules
Contractual Nursing Officers & ASHAs	Up to 45 Years

Contractual Nursing Officers working under the Odisha Health & Family Welfare Society and eligible ASHA workers may receive special age relaxation benefits as specified in the notification.

OSSSC Nursing Officer Educational Qualification 2026

To apply for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026, candidates must possess both academic and professional nursing qualifications.

Academic Qualification

Applicants must have:

• Passed Higher Secondary (+2) or equivalent examination.

Professional Qualification

Candidates must possess either:

• Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), or
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc Nursing)

The nursing qualification must be obtained from an institution recognized by the appropriate nursing regulatory authorities.

Is Nursing Council Registration Mandatory?

Yes. Candidates are generally required to possess valid registration with the appropriate Nursing Council as prescribed in the official notification.

Nursing Council registration serves as proof that the candidate is professionally qualified to practice nursing and is a mandatory requirement for most Nursing Officer recruitments across India.

Nationality Requirement

Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026.

Candidates must be able to provide valid identity and supporting documents during document verification.

Odia Language Requirement

One of the most important eligibility conditions for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment is proficiency in the Odia language.

Candidates should be able to read, write, and speak Odia. The commission may require documentary proof of Odia language proficiency as prescribed in the notification.

Required Documents for Eligibility Verification

Candidates should keep the following documents ready:

• Class 10 Certificate (Date of Birth Proof)
• Class 12 Marksheet and Certificate
• GNM/B.Sc Nursing Certificate
• Nursing Council Registration Certificate
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• PwD Certificate (if applicable)
• Ex-Servicemen Certificate (if applicable)
• Identity Proof
• Recent Passport-Size Photograph

Original documents will be verified during the document verification stage.

Common Reasons for Eligibility Rejection

Candidates should avoid the following mistakes:

• Incorrect age information
• Invalid nursing qualification
• Expired Nursing Council registration
• Incorrect category claim
• Inability to provide supporting documents
• Failure to satisfy Odia language requirements

Any discrepancy found during document verification may lead to cancellation of candidature.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the eligibility for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026?

To be eligible for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026, candidates must be Indian citizens aged between 21 and 42 years, possess a GNM or B.Sc Nursing qualification from a recognized institution, hold valid Nursing Council registration, and fulfill the prescribed Odia language requirements.

What is the age limit for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026?

Candidates must be between 21 and 42 years of age to apply for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026. Age relaxations are available for reserved categories as per Odisha Government rules.

Is Odia language compulsory for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026?

Yes. Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Odia and fulfill the language proficiency requirements specified by OSSSC.

Can candidates from other states apply for OSSSC Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026?

Yes. Indian citizens from any state can apply. However, they must fulfill the mandatory Odia language proficiency requirement and other eligibility conditions specified by OSSSC.

Is Nursing Council registration mandatory?

Yes. Candidates must possess valid registration with the State Nursing Council or Indian Nursing Council as prescribed in the official notification.